The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-03
THE CONSPIRACY OF 1863 ga.
Another Chapter from the Records of
the Dark Days of the Rebellion.
Efforts of Jacob Thompson and Others to Gre
ate DiSsension in the NOrthwest-Nhy
the Scheme Of the Conspirators Failed.

LOUISVILLE, Jan. III ne oSA Va |
the Southern Bivouac will contain second pa |
per on 1.-THE Northern Conspiracy In this the
writer devotes much space to narrative or the |
efforts made by Jacob Thompson special Com
missioner of the Confederate States in Canada,
In the summer Of lSG4 with a view to interest |
log prominent men of the North IN the further
ance of peace policy, thus aiming to create dis
sension and d;sunion in the Northwest. Among
the Northern men who went to Canada to confer
with Thompson was Judge jeremiah ). Black
Judge Black was anxious to find some plan that
would lead TO peace, but his labor was fruitless
Thompson also in communication with y al
landing CHAM, who was at this time in Canada.
Vsiandincham explained to Thompson the
character Of the secret society of
'sSons of Liberty" of which ne was grand COM
mandsr. He assured Thompson that the order
was. in all three hundred thousand strong;
there were eighty-fve thousand members, he
said, in Illinois: fifty thousand in Indiana. and
forty thousand in Ohio. The order owed its ex
istence, it was claimed, to an apprehension that
the progress of events was leading to military
despotisn against which it was necessary to or
ganize and ARA. "The members of this associa-
tion.' the writer says. had personal sym
patty with the confederates at all They de-
sired that the war should cease; they did not
believe in the constitutional right Of coercion,
and thought it unwise and harsh. But they
deprecated if they did not condemn, secession
They had no wish to see the South success
full by armed superiority, and while they
wanted the federal armies withdrawn
from Southern territory, there were few of
them who would have contributed in any way to a
confederate victory, or wished disaster to the
Union arms in the field. We very soon dscov-
cred that this was the temper of these people,
and found it necessary to keep that fact in mind
in all our dealings with than. There seemed to
be hope the part of some members of the
order, however, and it was frequent topic of
discussion, of establishing a separate confeder
acy of Northwestern States: but the great ma
jority. so far as the confederate commissioners
and their subordinatcs could discover their real
and preponderant feelings, were animated, not
withstanding their jealousy and dislike of fed
eral authority, by strong desire to see the
Union restored ''as it was" Thompson and his
follow commissioners endeavored In every way
possible to foster the idea of a Northwestern
Se~confederacy to act in concert with the South
The writer denies that jeff Davis was member
Of the order or had anything to do with draw
ing UP its constitution. Excerpts from declara-
tons of principles are given as follows:
'"The Constitution of the United States of Amer
ica it was asserted, was formed only for the ends
and purposes therein distinctly declared and specified
and the government thereby created was endowed by
the States acting in their several capacities
of free and independent States, with powers
sufficient to the accomplishment of those ends and
purposes and other; powers not delegated to that
government being by the letter of the compact ex-
pressly reserved the States the people. re-
spectively Sovereignty resides in and with the people
Of the States Respectively which parties to the
n.enated neither it be delegated. Some of it's
powers may be exercised by delegated authority,
while others cannot be so exercised except at the
snts of all that lends dignity to
mans relations to government. The gov
srnnent designated the United States of America
hasco sovereignty because that is attribute be-
longing to the people in their respective State or.
CARNATIONS, and with which they have not endowed
that government common agent. It by the
terms of the compact, constituted by the States,
through the express will OF the people thereof
ally such common agent to and exercise certain
specified and limited powers. It was authorized SC
far regards it's status and relations common
jealousy delegated to it. to call itself supreme, but
By the tenor i aud spirit Of Article Of thu
Constitution, was created, defined and linn
tied by the sovereignties themselves. In &C
cordance with these principles the federal govern
ment - can exercise er only delegated powers
lister that government shall exercise power
which have not been delegated, they should be re
In the people, and is delegated always be exercise,
for the advancement Of the commonwealth. When
the officials to whom the people have instructed
the powers of government shall refuse aministe
IL in strict accordance with its constitution, but shall
assume and exercise power and authority not dele
gated it Is the inherent right and imperative duty
the people to resist such officials and if need be OK
pei them by force OF Such resistance is no
revolution, but is solely the assertion of right.
Vallandicham stated to Thompson that tn
"Sons of Liberty included in their ranks mer
w hplOpppd n rfi an
many ex-scldiers whose terms of enlistmen
had expired; that they were partially armed
and that while the organization not com
pact and we'll in hand it yet controlled b,
efficient and determined men, and if provocatio
and opportunity combined its members woul
defend the principles of the order at any cost
He intended to return at an early date to Ohio
and expected that he would be again immed
ately arrested which would in his opinion, lea
TO a general uprising and retaliation by thi
order for the many acts of oppression which il
members had suffered. Further in vestication G
the character and sentiment of the "Sons
Liberty confirmed perfectly all that ValIandi!
ham had said. and revealed feversh desire @
the general mem bership 10 assert and maintai
their rights. Mr.. Lncoln's call about this tm
for 500 coo more men for the army. and the pr
posed drart TO prsvide them, intensified the wis
to resist further prosecution of the wa
and seemed to have ripened it into resolve
The 20th of July fixed II
iate for outspoken resistance; but as the tim
:ago and decided to postpone action until Al
gust l6. There were further postponements,
that the decisive step was never taken. The a
ticle closes with the following letter:
TORONTO, Aug %, 1864.
Hon. John slidell Minister TO France; Hon Jam
M Mason, Minister TO Great Britain:
Esnliemen-In May last accompanied by the Ho
G. C. Clay, of Alabama. was duly commissioned
the President of the Confederate States provide
with funds and instructed proceed to Canada wit
out delay and ascertain the public sentiment and ii
feeling OF tire people Of the United States and so
as practicable and honorable to utilize the prelude
existing against the conduct of the war for the a
vancement of the interests of the Confederate State
At Montreal we had various conferences with repr
sentative OF the North with a view TO forum
in the outset some basis which should govern o.
opinion 10 the best course to pursue thereafte
Grant advancing Richmond, and the papers
fhaN thatAh Is